Aden, Yemen – In a precise operation reflecting accurate field reconnaissance, the military media of the National Resistance announced on Thursday the death of a prominent Houthi militia leader, Major Abdu Jiash (also known as Abdu Jiash Ghaleb Saqim). This came as a result of targeted strikes carried out by units of the Joint Forces on the western coast of Yemen.
Details of the operation and the well-planned ambush
Military sources reported that a specialized unit from the 2nd Brigade of the Zaraniq Forces, affiliated with the National Resistance (Tareq Saleh’s forces), successfully carried out a precise strike on a location where the commander, Jiash, and several of his companions were holed up in the Kida area of Al-Jarahi district, south of Hodeidah governorate. The operation followed meticulous intelligence gathering on the movements of Jiash, who hails from Hays district, after his involvement in ordering the shelling of civilian targets in liberated areas.
The Second Brigade Command confirmed that the strikes were direct and precise, resulting in the immediate death of Jiash and several of his men. Additionally, vehicles and military equipment belonging to the armed group at the targeted location were disabled and destroyed.
A record of abuses against the Zaraniq tribes
Abdu Jiash is considered one of the field commanders on whom the Houthi militia relies to manage military operations in the southern Hodeidah region. According to local and tribal sources, Jiash and his men face widespread accusations of committing serious crimes and violations against members of the Zaraniq tribe and civilians in the Hays and Jarahi districts over the past years. He is known for his repressive activities and his participation in the siege of villages and the displacement of residents.
Implications of field targeting
The operation comes amid ongoing escalation and heavy blows inflicted on the Houthi militia on the western coast fronts. It also underscores the high level of readiness of the forces stationed there to counter Houthi leadership movements targeting civilians.
Observers believe that the killing of Jiash represents a significant moral and military blow to the militia in the Al-Jarahi sector, given his extensive field knowledge of the region’s geography and his role in coordinating recent missile and artillery attacks on residential villages. Therefore, his elimination is seen as a victory for justice and a vindication for the victims of his crimes among the people of Tihama.
